by James Sambo

A fresh attempt by Boko Haram to advance towards Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has been repelled by the Nigerian Army.

The insurgents who reportedly suffered heavy casualties again in their renewed bid were said to have engaged the military Thursday afternoon in Benesheikh, 75 kilometres to Maiduguri from the West. They also attempted to march on Konduga, situated about 40 kilometres from Maiduguri to the east, both on Thursday and Friday, but were forced into retreat by the military.

In Benesheikh, the insurgents blocked the highway, but were confronted by vigilant soldiers who drove them back, while they suffered heavy casualties in Konduga, forcing them to retreat. A civil servant, Hussaini Musa, who passed through Benesheikh along the Maiduguri – Damaturu road on Friday, said that five corpses were left by the roadside which locals confirmed as belonging to Boko Haram members.

“From what I leant, soldiers from the outskirts of Benesheikh and others from Auno intervened and averted what would have been a major onslaught,” he said.

Another local said the terrorists fled through the village and killed some persons in the process.

YEditor